I replaced all my incubator parts and rewired it, and have since hatched out two batches of chicks, with very poor results. The temperature would stay even for a few days, and then go up about 4 degrees overnight, or down 3-4 degrees. My husband suggested it may be because I used a standard household extension cord for the new wire, rather than make sure it was the same kind of wire as the original Is this a possibility?

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), March 22, 2002

Answers

Did you replace the thermastat also? Was the heating element exactly the same as the old element, identical resistance range? Has there been any other changes, such as location of the unit, different heat system installed in the place its kept?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 22, 2002.

Sounds like your thermostat wafer is not working properly or the switch it engages is sticking.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

As long as the wire guage is similar, it should be o.k. as long as it doesn't overheat on an application as that. The thermostat could be the culprit. Also if you have soldered connections, a fractured or improperly flowed joint could react as a variresistor or thermoresistor and affect the function of the thermostat. I would check solder connections and any potentially broken wires first, then the thermostat.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

If your room temp is fluctuating 10-15 degrees you incubator is not keeping up. I would put in a electronic thermostat from GQF. JC

-- John Clark (johndiclrk@Elroynet.com), March 22, 2002.

I replaced thermostat wafer, switch, heater element and wiring. No soldering though. All replacement parts except wire were identical to the original. The room temperature where I was incubating has been fluctuating a lot; here in Northeast TX we've had 18 degrees for a low as well as humid 80 degree daytime temps during the time I was incubating. We just use one wood stove for all our heat (2 story house; incubator was upstairs) so it does get pretty cold at night sometimes in the house. When I have incubated in the past it has been during more uniformly warm weather. Thank you all for the answers; I really think there's not anything actually wrong with the incubator but that it's not keeping up with the temp. fluctuations, as was suggested. I'm going to try it again in a few weeks when it gets warmer, and see how it goes. I've already bought some bantam Cochins, and am hoping to let them take over my incubating before long. They are laying eggs, and I hope they'll go broody as the days get longer.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), March 22, 2002.